SHJ NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2020
COVID-19 Issues
Genetic Typing Could Answer Key Questions in Tort Litigation
The current crisis is already spawning tort suits seeking damages for illness or death allegedly caused by negligent or reckless exposure. Former DOJ trial counsel Adam Dinnell has successfully used genetic typing, a form of “fingerprinting” that differentiates between thousands of different genetic types of a particular pathogen, as evidence in similar cases involving Legionnaire’s Disease.
Emerging Trends in Force Majeure
In this two-part piece, Logan Johnson writes that, as economic fallout from the COVID crisis intensifies, contractual parties are increasingly invoking force majeure provisions to excuse performance of contracts.
Fighting COVID-Related Cyberattacks
The pandemic has disrupted nearly 75 percent of U.S. companies, creating fertile ground for cyberattacks. Varant Yegparian and Ben Cohen outline the risks and offer tips for reducing vulnerability.
Are Involuntary Quarantines on the Horizon?
Texas recently appointed judges for emergency hearings (now being held remotely) to deal with coronavirus patients who refuse to quarantine. Partner Dan Hinde handled similar issues during his ten years as a Harris County district judge.
Three Lawyers Named Texas “Rising Stars”
Texas Monthly magazine honored Matt Davis, Persis Dean, and Brandon Winchester as Rising Stars in their April 2020 issue. The designation is given to less than 3 percent of lawyers statewide.

We’re Hiring!
SHJ is on the lookout for future summer associates, interns, and full-time associates for our Houston office. If you have excellent academics and a passion for trials, arbitrations, and/or appeals, we'd like to hear from you.